Sometimes this task is performed by a set of 74 or similar logic chips, but in the case of the CMS 9619A it falls upon a Programmable Array Logic (PAL).

A Programmable Logic Array is just what it sounds like and is the forerunner of modern, unsolderable CPLDs and FPGAs.

As reported in Advanced Photonics, they developed a large-scale optical programmable logic array (PLA) capable of handling more complex computations.